May 23, 2010

TO THE DEACONS AND CONGREGATION OF REFORMATION BAPTIST CHURCH

Dear Church Family,

I have had the inestimable privilege of serving for 10 ½ years as Founding Pastor of Reformation Baptist Church – what an adventure! When I was a seminary student, I had a somewhat romantic view of pastoral ministry, and I confess that I imagined my ministerial career following a similar path to that of my pastor, Jim Henry. At various ages I would compare and contrast where Henry had been versus where I was: when I was at First Baptist Church/Gray, GA, I remembered that at around the same age, Jim Henry was beginning his tenure at Two Rivers Baptist in Nashville, TN. In all of that dreaming, I NEVER imagined myself as a church planter. If I had imagined myself as a church planter, I would have NEVER imagined planting a church in Lake County. But the Lord God Almighty delights in accomplishing HIS plans, not OUR plans – and what a wonderful thing that is. Upon my departure from the church in Georgia, I returned to Central Florida with few ministerial prospects. But in short order, I was teaching and serving as chief administrator for a seminary extension center and pastoring Main Street Baptist Church in Leesburg. The first service of The Bible Church of Lady Lake (later Reformation Baptist Church) was held in my living room on December 12, 1999. Alice and Gordon Jones, along with my family and one visitor, were the only congregants that evening. The Internet, as we know it, was a new commodity; the specter of Y2K was hanging over everyone’s head. But a new church was launched, one with a very simple motto: “Committed to God’s Glory.”

I read a moment ago the prophet Samuel’s apologia – his defense – of his ministry and conduct before the assembled Israelites. While I am surely no Samuel, I wish now to do something similar. I have been far from the ideal pastor. My family sees much more of my sinfulness than you do, and even they know nothing of the wickedness of heart and action that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ knows. I am sorry for my shortcomings; I ask you to forgive me. Pray for me that I will grow in faithfulness, competence, holiness, joy and obedience to God. Please know that, though in many ways I have failed, my heart’s desire has been to honor the Lord and to bless His people throughout my pastorate here. The chief expressions of that commitment have been as follows:

1. Preaching – Paul told Timothy that elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. I have endeavored to preach the whole counsel of God to the congregation of Reformation Baptist Church. Difficult passages were not skipped; doctrinal depths were plumbed; and changes in both thinking and practice were encouraged as I have exposed our fellowship to the riches of God’s Word week by week.

 

1. Sacrifice – I have tried to model faithfulness to a biblical motif, the theme of pilgrimage. The Bible teaches that as Christians, we are aliens and strangers in this world. Possessions, prestige – these are things that are passing away. I drive an eleven year old van which is our only vehicle; my family has done without regular dental, vision and medical care; even under different circumstances than those that occasioned this letter, we would not have been able to stay in our home; we have bought new clothes rarely and taken vacations infrequently. A former member of our church told me on more than one occasion, “I am amazed that you are the pastor of our little church instead of a large church with a six-figure salary.” Some weeks, I have not received a paycheck from the church at all. To compensate, I have worked in computer repair, elementary school fundraising, whole-house water treatment system sales, census-taking, pizza delivery, substitute teaching and distance learning instruction. This I have done with joy, because during my tenure here, I would rather have suffered WITH you than prospered AWAY from you.

 

1. Pastoral care – Beyond the more public ministry of the pulpit, it has been my practice to be available to the sheep for pastoral care. I have been up through the wee hours of the morning with members in hospital emergency rooms. I have counseled for hours those with spiritual, emotional and practical crises. I have run rather mundane errands during both high and low events in the lives of our people. I have stood against false doctrine, potentially dangerous leaders and other threats to the spiritual wellbeing of our congregation.

 

I say without apology that I have loved being your pastor and that I have loved the people who have been a part of this assembly. I have given all that I know how to give. My leadership has not always been popular, but I am hopeful that no one can charge me with being unbiblical. If you love the Lord Jesus and His Word more, if you understand the Bible better and if you are a more faithful Christian than when you first came here, then I have in some small measure fulfilled my calling here.

RBC has been good to me and to my family. Particularly in 2001 and in 2006, our church family sustained us in very trying times. The loss of two babies in one year and a battle with a rare form of cancer in another year took their toll on the Bailey family. But oh, how Reformation Baptist Church shined during those difficulties! You loved us, cared for us, gave to us, cried with us – we will always be grateful for your ministry to our family through the years. This really has been a glorious adventure. I would not be the minister, father, husband and Christian I am today were it not for my exposure to the blessed saints of RBC. Thank you for loving, serving, teaching, challenging, following and caring for me and for my family. I could never have envisioned such a thing as Reformation Baptist Church; now, I can not imagine having not been a part of this church.

Today, the Bailey family is on the cusp of a new adventure in ministry. I have accepted the call to Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia, where I will serve as Chaplain and English Teacher. I will also minister alongside Pastor Ray Rhodes and Elder Kevin Jarrard at Grace Community Church of North Georgia. My last Sunday as your pastor will be June 13, 2010. Please pray for me. This is a redeployment in ministry that I would never have anticipated even 6 months ago. The challenges will be new and numerous. But of course, God is faithful. He will strengthen you in the days to come regarding church life and leadership decisions. I commit, as Samuel did, to pray for you. And I look forward to future fellowship, either here or in heaven, as we praise the risen Lord Jesus forever around the throne. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your shepherd for the past decade.

In Christ, the Victor!

David W. Bailey, Ph.D.

Pastor – Reformation Baptist Church

At the Gator Orange and Blue game Saturday, I saw a man with a University of Florida cap. Well, there were LOTS of those at the Swamp, but this particular hat indicated that either he, or possibly his son or daughter, was a medical student from UF. I have always loved the medical profession; before God called me to preach, that was my intended profession. My reading, studying and dreams were about the operating room and hospital ward. Saturday, I thought for a few hours – what if? What if I did the prerequisites that I missed as an ENGLIGH major? What if I scored sufficiently on the MCAT to actually get into a med school at my age? Could I do it? Would my brain POP? It was a nice little reverie while it lasted.

Then, I thought—what if? What if I devoted the 5 or 6 years required to get past medical school to improving in the areas of lack that I know I have in pastoral ministry? By the time I am 50, I might be a lot more competent than I am now! Pretty cool thought.

I woke up at 4:19 a.m. this morning, wide awake. Thank You, Lord! Before the birthday breakfast at Denny’s and last minute errands and hot dogs and cake and putt-putt and friends and presents and family, I get to think and pray uninterrupted about my only son, Ethan. He has brought such joy to my life. The picture in the red playpen is representative; even as a baby, Ethan used to chuckle. He has always loved life. There is in every moment an undercurrent of joy. When he gets mad, he doesn’t stay mad. Don’t ever lose that, Ethan! In the words of Nehemiah 8:10, “the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Strive to be a godly man. Excel in all you do. Love the Lord Jesus; make serving Him your highest aim. Cherish the Bible. Stay close to your family. Be a man of integrity. I look forward to growing together as father and son and also as Christians through our discipleship time in the coming year. I am so proud of you, Ethan! Eleven years—where did they go? Fishing, football, New Orleans, shooting hoops, swimming, “lets play Med,” hanging out, “Sands of Iwo Jima” nights when the girls are away, eBay book boxing – thank you, Ethan, for making me so rich. I love you, son. Thank You, God! In Ethan You have taught me so much about my dad and the blessing that he is to me; the love and stability and camaraderie that Owen Bailey gave to me, I want to pass on to Ethan. To be a son and to have a son are among the greatest blessings I know. Have a great birthday, Ethan!